As Valentine’s Day approaches, Austinites begin stirring. What should we do? Where should I take her? How much should I spend? Thankfully, we only live in the best city in the U.S., and there is never a shortage for fun. We gathered the best ways to spend you Valentine’s Day with your loved one (or ones, if you are single and are kicking it with friends), and to ensure you don’t suffer from FOMO.
UrbanStems (https://urbanstems.com/), the newest floral delivery service to arrive in Austin, delivers modern arrangements at a moment’s notice and is sure to earn you major brownie points. The new company will have a flower bar at the Women’s Flagship Store (524 North Lamar at West 6th Street) on Friday February 10th from 1-3pm, and anyone who purchases a vase will get a customized bouquet delivered for Valentine’s Day. Starting a $35 and accepting pre-orders for Valentine’s day now, new customers get $15 off.
If she’s a fan of chocolates, the Chocolaterie Tessa & Gypsy Floral (chocolaterietessa.com/shop/valentine-large-box-flowers/) collaboration may be your perfect choice, offering a $95 package including beautiful blush-colored florals and 25 assorted fine chocolates.
Antonelli’s Cheese Shop (https://www.antonellischeese.com/) is hosting a Cheese Date Night on February 14th at 6pm. Gather with other lovers for a cheesy session, and after head over to Cru Wine Bar for a 4-course meal paired with of course, incredible wines.
If you are into culinary delights, you will also enjoy taking a class at Con’Olio Oils and Vinegars. Sign yourself and your loved one up for a class at one of their convenient locations, or opt for purchasing a gourmet set as Valentine’s Day gift. (https://www.conolios.com/valentines-gift-shop/)
Plan a mini getaway and leave your stresses behind. South Congress Hotel (https://southcongresshotel.com/) is offering a $50 gift card toward Cafe No Se with a stay every Friday and Saturday night in February, dinner specials at Central Standard, plus Champagne and macaroons will be waiting for you in your room when you arrive. You can’t mess this one up, boys.
At Lone Star Court Hotel (https://www.lonestarcourt.com/), choose the Forever Be My Always Package, starting at $249 and including endless romantic perks. Hotel Granduca is also offering 3-Course ($80) and 5-Course ($110) Valentine’s Day dinners as well.
77 Degrees Patio Bar (https://77-degrees.com/) is hosting a Nuts & Bolts party from 8:00pm to 2:00am. The rules? When guests arrive, men will receive a bolt and women will receive a nut. Everyone mingles with each other to find a fit. Once guests have found their match, they can turn in their used nut and bolt at the host’s table and they will be given a new set, plus a raffle ticket for a prize. DJ, giveaways and cocktail specials included, obviously.
You have heard of chocolate and wine being a perfect pair, but what about chocolate and beer? Chocolaterie Tessa (https://chocolaterietessa.com/) is partnering with Zilker Brewing Company (https://www.zilkerbeer.com/) for a Valentine’s Beer & Chocolate Pairing at their taproom on Sunday, February 12 at 6 pm. The class will consist of tasting five beers with five chocolates, and a discussion about how beer brings out a new experience when tasting fine chocolates. The class is $45 per person and includes a large glass from Zilker Brewing Company, and a two-piece sampler of fine chocolates from Chocolaterie Tessa.
Photo by Zilker Brewing Company
Coffee lovers can celebrate together with a date night at Houndstooth Coffee (https://www.houndstoothcoffee.com/). The specialty coffee house is offering a pairing for two featuring three courses of coffees including coffee and cheese, coffee and chocolate and coffee cocktails, plus a personal barista. The experience is being offered anytime from Valentine’s Day to June 30th, and the 3-course pairing for two is $50.
Sophia’s (https://sophiasaustin.com/) is launching “A Month of Love”, a whole month of designer giveaways for their female guests. Every Friday at 10 p.m., ladies dining or drinking at Sophia’s will have the opportunity to enter to win a key at midnight that unlocks the evening’s prize.
Starting February 12 at 10 a.m., bring your yoga mat and your best brunching companion to Sophia’s (https://sophiasaustin.com/) The modern supper club is partnering with local yoga studios to host a “Bends and Bubbles” brunch each weekend. For $20, guests can attend an one-hour yoga class on the terrace, roll up their mats and attend brunch right after.
Want to know what the future holds? Join other curious Austinites at the Red Room Lounge (https://www.redroomaustin.com/) on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 5 p.m for a specially prices glass of wine along with a taro card reading.
Austin based jeweler Nak Armstrong will be at ByGeorge (https://bygeorgeaustin.com/ ) on Friday, February 10th from 10am-7pm to chat with customers to help them pick the best gift for their significant other. Take advantage of special pricing and enjoy complimentary champagne and bites for all.
For more shopping, The Swoon Event (https://theswoonevent.com/) is teaming up with Archer Hotel (https://archerhotel.com/austin) to bring you a two-day Valentine’s shopping extravaganza. On February 11 & 12 from 11am to 3pm each day, you can attend free and shop locally made and creative gifts for your loved ones, or yourself. To make it even more Austin, there will be a DJ, Oh Happy Day Booth, and champagne from Second Bar + Kitchen.
There are many sights to see in Austin, and many ways to see them. For this romantic occasion, take your favorite date on a thrilling biplane ride to see Austin from above. Austin Biplane (https://www.austinbiplane.com/) offers a Sunset Champagne Flight package, or the Aerobatic tour if you are feeling daring. If you are looking for something low key, take the Bat Watching Sunset Cruise with Lone Star Riverboat (https://lonestarriverboat.com/tours.html)
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New Orleans, LA - On October 22, 2024, I recently had an opportunity to attend the grand opening of Caesars New Orleans, marking the completion of a stunning $435 million transformation of the former Harrah’s New Orleans. It was an evening to remember, filled with excitement, luxury, and the vibrant spirit of New Orleans. The festivities began on Canal Street with an exhilarating ceremony led by Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg, President & COO Anthony Carano, and Caesars New Orleans General Manager Samir Mowad. The atmosphere was electric as they joined Caesar himself and an iconic New Orleans second-line band in a lively procession into the casino. It felt like the entire city had come out to celebrate, with Caesars New Orleans team members and Mayor LaToya Cantrell also joining the event to commemorate this historic occasion. Anthony Carano’s pride in introducing Caesars to New Orleans was palpable. “From local favorite Emeril Lagasse to our long-time partner, Chef Nobu, to the beautiful state-of-the-art Caesars Sportsbook, all-new rooms and gaming floor, and of course, our gorgeous new center bar, Octavia, Caesars New Orleans offers something for everyone. It’s a world-class resort in the heart of the Big Easy, and we can’t wait for our guests to experience it,” he said. The ceremony was a spectacle, kicking off with an iconic Mardi Gras float featuring Caesar and his court, and a dazzling firework show that lit up the New Orleans sky. The second-line band then led us revelers into the resort’s elegant center bar, Octavia, where we indulged in a “Taste of Caesars New Orleans.” Each bite from the six on-property restaurants was a delightful journey, capturing the essence of New Orleans’ rich culinary scene. Throughout the night, elemental entertainers, including the Saints Cheer Krewe, Mardi Gras Indians, Zulu Tramps, and showgirls, created an authentic and unforgettable Big Easy experience. Everywhere I turned, there was something new to marvel at, each performance more mesmerizing than the last. Samir Mowad, SVP and GM of Caesars New Orleans, highlighted the significance of the transformation, stating, “This year marks 25 years since we opened in New Orleans, and the completion of this project is the perfect way to usher in a new era with Caesars. Synonymous with the Caesars name, our new resort is pure elegance, and we’re excited to introduce a luxury brand like this to New Orleans. We are extremely grateful for the support of the community, our team members, and our guests as we come to the finish line of this tremendous transformation.” The hotel itself is impressive,…